What Does the Bible Say About Disabilities?
Updated: Nov 27, 2022
As Christians, we turn to God’s Word, the Bible, for guidance on how to obey God in how we live and interact with others. Why? As Hebrews 4:12 (English Standard Version) explains, “For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” This verse is a powerful message supporting transformation in alignment with God’s call to be faithful to Him in our voluntary obedience. It speaks to how He knows our every thought and action toward Him and others, including those with disabilities, by which we will ultimately be judged.
The Disability Reality
Although “no single Hebrew or Greek word is exactly equivalent to our contemporary use of the English word ‘disability,’” many biblical passages and verses speak about those who experience mental, physical, and spiritual challenges.[1]
They demonstrate how God wants us to interact with suffering people or those who live on the margins. McNair and Rhodes write, “If the Bible has something to say about disability, we need to work to comprehend and obey, even if those words require the church to repent and make changes to long-held traditions.”[2]
First, it is crucial to understand that physical and mental disabilities do not result from someone’s or someone else’s sin. They are simply present in a fallen world like everything else. “The story of the man born blind in John 9:1-7 is the clearest refutation of the assumption that disability is caused by individual or generational sin,” as written in Scripture,[3]
"As He passed by, He saw a man blind from birth. And His disciples asked Him, ‘Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?’ Jesus answered, ‘It was not that this man sinned, or his parents, but that the works of God might be displayed in him. We must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work. As long as I am in the world, I am the light of the world.’ Having said these things, He spit on the ground and made mud with the saliva. Then He anointed the man’s eyes with the mud and said to him, ‘Go, wash in the pool of Siloam’ (which means Sent). So he went and washed and came back seeing."
On the interplay between physical and spiritual sight, McNair and Rhodes state, “Jesus straightforwardly rejects the causal link between disability and sin. His counter-explanation, expressed in intentionally ambiguous Greek, which admits of multiple readings, is that blindness is an opportunity for the works of God to be displayed.”[4] This Bible story urges us to contemplate Jesus’ words and works and examine our perspectives and responses as a faith community to those with physical or mental impairments.
Second, our view on disabilities must be aligned or, if need be, realigned in light of what we know about our mysterious and all-powerful God. Paul, a man of great faith, asks not once but three times to have his “thorn” removed (2 Cor 12:8). The Lord answers, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness” (2 Cor 12:9). The concept of coming to know God through our or others’ pain, suffering, and imperfections can be troubling. Yet, the Bible supports this truth story after story. McNair and Rhodes state, “In stark contrast to much preaching about the prosperity gospel (roughly, that the good news of salvation necessarily entails financial wealth and physical health, a crudely materialistic reading of the blessings of the gospel), the New Testament is clear that suffering is an expected and normal aspect of the Christian life.”[5] The authors add, “The hand of God cannot be forced; there is no magic formula that guarantees healing. Those with great faith are sometimes healed and sometimes not.”[6]
It is common to assume that those with disabilities are unhappy with their condition and that their relationship with God is mercurial at best. However, this author has witnessed firsthand some of the happiest, most faithful followers of Christ in her ministry to adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. In many regards, their life circumstance is a blessing. Jesus’ words come to mind, “Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth” (Matt 5:5).
“We Are All on the Spectrum”
From the Old Testament, Leviticus 19:14 commands, “You shall not curse the deaf or put a stumbling block before the blind, but you shall fear your God: I am the Lord.” This verse is a reminder of two things: one, not only that we should be mindful and caring to those with disabilities, but two, that God hears and sees all, unlike the deaf who could not listen to your curse or the blind who could not see something placed in their way. We are to issue benevolence to others in obedience to God.
Moreover, characters in the Bible with various physical and mental challenges demonstrate people with disabilities are part of God’s divine plan—and are often placed in leadership roles (knowingly or unknowingly), leading by example and validating the value of all God’s children. Jacob, a mighty patriarch of the Israelites, limped due to wrestling with God (Gen 32:31-32). Moses, who led his people out of Egypt, dealt with anxiety issues and insecurity for public speaking, possibly from a speech disfluency (Exod 4:10-12). Jeremiah, God’s faithful “weeping prophet,” suffered deep depression (Lam 3:17-20). Paul, the once persecutor of Christians then converted Apostle, who gave his life to the Lord, suffered with an unknown, relentless pain in his side (2 Cor 12:8-9). The Bible demonstrates how human imperfection brings perfection to executing God’s will. McNair and Rhodes write, “We are all on the spectrum of varying levels of ability. Disability does not impact one’s status of being related to God and complete in Christ.”[7] Thus, everyone has an essential role to fill in their lifetime.
“Lord, have mercy on us, Son of David!” cried out the two blind beggars as they heard Jesus passing by, but the crowd that followed the Lord rebuked them, telling them to be silent; but in pity, Jesus touched their eyes, and they could see again (Matt 20:29-34). This narrative found in Matthew reflects today’s apathy by many toward those with physical and mental disabilities. It begs the question Calhoun asks, “Have able-bodied Christ-followers always been so insensitive to the needs of the differently abled that they can regard them as just another inconvenience?”[8] Something for us all to think about as we believe we are doing the most we can. Like Christ, we must stop and ask those in need, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Matt 20:32).
Opening Our Eyes
When it comes to breaking down barriers between us and those with disabilities, and dispelling misconceptions about this demographic to see them as beloved children of God, the Bible shares stories and insights that can open our eyes and hearts to embracing the marginalized.
Throughout Scripture, Jesus was drawn to His people in need, as captured in Matthew 25:35-40:
"For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit you?’ And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my brothers, you did it to me.’"
Jesus’ words express His desire for us to seek genuine engagement with struggling people. So often, we see ourselves as doing “our part,” being philanthropic in giving to charities that care for the underserved, providing their basic needs. Still, we shy away from interacting with those we claim to care about, validating such actions through our distance support. We keep people at arm’s length, especially those with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. Pastor Jimi Calhoun recounts the opening of his eyes:
"Before I became involved ten or so years ago, I had never considered the number of people who live with a developmental disability, a physical disability, an intellectual disability, or a combination of any or all of them. They occupy different spaces such as community homes, living with extended family, government-provided full-time care facilities, and the list goes on. That results in most of us being unaware of what their day-to-day existence is like because the majority of them are simply sequestered away. As a society, we have convinced ourselves that providing basic needs such as food, clothing, and shelter is adequate. My experience has led me to the opposite conclusion."[9]
As mentioned, Hebrews tells us that God discerns our thoughts, sees into our hearts, and knows our motives behind every action. Through Scripture, He asks us to acknowledge His omniscience and do more to engage with those mistakenly seen as “less than” and love them as He does. Still, “when we engage people in this population, it is easy to anticipate a certain response; and when it does not come, we misperceive.”[10] Dispelling these misperceptions is vital to building the necessary, loving relationships God desires for His people.
If you look closely, the Bible has a lot to say about disabilities, recounting stories of Jesus’ miracles, how others respond to those with mental and physical challenges, and God’s expectations for the proper response in our interactions with others. In the end, what does it all mean? Calhoun sums it best, "As a society, we have isolated and segregated our disabled friends. The remedy is not making them more comfortable in their segregated state but taking action in the opposite direction, which means going to them. For that to happen naturally, our psychological orientation regarding their physiological condition needs to undergo a complete restructuring."[11]
Mary Marshall Ministry invites you to come and experience the joy of sharing your faith with adults with intellectual disabilities and mental health issues. Visit or call us today. Learn how to become a part of your community’s ministry serving Jesus’ “least of these.”
____________________ [1] Jeff McNair and Ben Rhodes, “Towards a Christian Model of Disability: The Bible Is for All People,” The Journal of the Christian Institute on Disability 8, no. 1 (Spring/Summer 2019): 20, https://journal.joniandfriends.org/index.php/jcid/article/view/229. [2] Ibid., 21. [3] Ibid., 24. [4] Ibid.
[8] Jimi Calhoun, “Disability in a Space-Time Continuum of Love,” Cultural Encounters 16, no. 2 (September 2021): 1, https://www.dropbox.com/home/IDD%20Resources.
[9] Ibid., 7.
[10] Ibid.
[11] Ibid., 11-12.
Comments